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Venalfaxine - nearly 3 weeks - feeling depressed again...

Posted , 4 users are following.

KezzaNoon
KezzaNoon

I started venalfaxine beginning of December. I've been on 150mg for nearly 3 weeks. I've had such ups and downs. In the past week I've had the worst anxiety, then it totally subsided, my depression lifted but now I feel anxious and really depressed again. For a few days last week I felt on top of the world now it seem like I'm back to square one.

I did have a few drinks last night , that didn't help.

I will try going gym tomorrow morning as exercise is good for your mood. Just can't get out of bed todaysad

I wonder if I should increase my dose? I've lost weight since being on them too.

0 likes, 18 replies

18 Replies

  • Aspinan
    Aspinan KezzaNoon

    Posted

    Hi Kerrie, my AD is venlafaxine and it takes at least 3-4 weeks before you notice any benefit or mood lifting so Id give it another week or two before considering increasing or changing.

    It's been a good AD for me.

    Totally agree with exercise, even just a walk can boost your mold, booze is a depressant but don't best yourself up over it, just be careful and have a drink just don't get sloshed as you will feel crappy the day after.

    N 

    • KezzaNoon
      KezzaNoon Aspinan

      Posted

      Hi Aspinan, what dose are you on? Did you get increased anxiety when you went on them?

      I just cant understand how I felt so great last week and now i seem to have gotten worse. 

  • Desperate_now
    Desperate_now KezzaNoon

    Posted

    i wouldn't recommend you just increase your dose without discussing it with a medical professional. The reason I am saying this I am also on Venlafaxine 150mgs have been for about 4 weeks I started at 75mgs then spoke to my GP after 2 weeks who told me to increase but to go and see him in a couple of weeks. Well I must admit as it was Christmas when I should have gone back I decided to leave it till new year. I went last wed 7Jan for a general review but I did say my mood had been great over Christmas but had dropped 3 days ago. and since then I have been referred to psychiatric services had a telephone assessment within 6 hours of seeing GP had appointment today for face to face assessment got to go back tomorrow, case to be discussed with psychiatrist on Tuesday then I have to make contact Wed to be told what to do. At the assemment today the coordinator said Venlafaxine is a third line treatment and that my medication needs to be reviewed by a consultant. I was a nurse although not in mental health and have always said to patients any changes in medication should be discussed with a Dr and particularly psychiatric drugs because of their potential effects.

    i am not in a very good place at the moment, but I cannot believe how quickly things have happened from a routine follow up thinking i wasn't  doing too bad just needing to give it a bit longer, so please discuss it with your doctor how you are really feeling.

  • Desperate_now
    Desperate_now KezzaNoon

    Posted

    I think it is usually the third choice of medication to be used. If someone had allergic reaction to first or second line management then they would go to third line. I was very sensitive to mirtazapine, I had been on an ssri drug for  8 years and I think they are first line treatment with depression then if they are no longer effective go onto Snri which first choice is Mirtazapine. I may not be absolutely correct but that is my understanding. I suppose different areas or even countries have their own preference.which drug they use depending on each case. Hope this makes sense. Are you in Britain?
    • KezzaNoon
      KezzaNoon Desperate_now

      Posted

      hi diane, i was initially on citalorpram for a number of years - like 10 years on and off. That stopped working, so i went on sertraline which never worked / made me worse.  I was then put on venlafaxine which worked just fine.  Ater a year i came off of it.  Then after taking some MDMA earlier this year, i plumeted into a terrible bout of depression/anxiety. 

      I'm back on the venlafaxine, but they are not having the desired effect.  I've had some good days i must admit but since upping to 150mg nealry 3 weeks ago, the anxiety has gotten worse. The depression lifted somewhat but today, I've gone back into the depression, not been out of the house, been in pj's all day feel really mentally not right.  I can't believe this, i now think the MDMA has has some kind of permanent effect on me.  

      I'm in the UK yes.  I've been depressed since July and i'm at the end of my tether now...

    • Desperate_now
      Desperate_now KezzaNoon

      Posted

      MDMA? Are you under c/o your Gzp or mental health services?

      i can relate to how you feel I am just the same at the moment so up and down.  I just hope psychiatric services can help, I still cannot believe how quickly I have transferred to them. 

      Since end of sept I have come off fluoxetine 60mgs with the help of diazepam went onto mirtazapine after 8 weeks mirtazapine stopped and put on Venlafaxine 75mgs but increased to 150 mgs 2weeks later so at the moment I haven't had any stability. Let's hope we can both get on the right side of this dark place. Good luck x

    • anne240
      anne240 KezzaNoon

      Posted

      Hello Kerrie, I was on Venlafaxine 150mgs for 9 years.  Over the many years I have had depression I have been on many different anti depressants.  Some gave me bad side effects, and one made me really ill.  Venlafaxine suited me once it got into my system.  Could be it is not the right medication for you, or it could be you are feeling worse before you feel better, which does often happen.

      Can you stick it out?  If not, then go back to your doctor and discuss.  What suits one person does not suit another.  For instance I was fine on Sertraline and Venlafaxine but really bad on Prozac. 

      I've stopped anti depressants now, as I want to see if I can cope without. 

      Hope yoiu feel the medication is working soon, as not right to feel so bad.  I know what it is like, as had really bad depression in the past.  Seems strange that Venlafaxine worked for you in the past but is making you ill now. 

      Give it a little more time, if you can, and hopefully you will pick up soon.

    • gen07717
      gen07717 KezzaNoon

      Posted

      Hi again Kerrie, how are you feeling today?  Sorry to hear you've not been so good.  I've been on Quetiapine since Monday to help boost the venlafaxine and mirtazapine, have had some good days but not so great today.  I always think weekends are worse for some people, unless you have plans, it can leave you wondering what to do with yourself and that makes the depression worse.

      Not sure where you are in the country but if the sun's shining try and get some fresh air.  Even a 20 minute walk will do you the world of good.  

      Take good care of yourself xxxx

    • KezzaNoon
      KezzaNoon gen07717

      Posted

      Hi Gen,

      Its really weird but thank the Lord, I woke up today and felt totally fine!

      Friday night I had a few drinks after work and I think that's what made me feel so depressed yesterday and the weather. I literally felt so anxious and thought i was cracking up yesterday.....

      Today I felt totally normal, got up did house work and I've been out to dinner this afternoon.  

      I'm glad you are having a few good days.  I totally understand aobut the weekends and having to keep busy. 

      Did you manage to get out for a walk? It was a gorgeous day!

      xx

    • gen07717
      gen07717 KezzaNoon

      Posted

      I'm so pleased you've had a good day, I was worried about you.

      Hopefully I'll wake up a little better tomorrow.  My husband and I went out for dinner last night, the first time in 8 months, we had a fab time but it may explain why I felt a little worse today, didn't drink much at all but body just not used to the socialising!  We'll both get there I'm sure.

      Take care xxxx

    • KezzaNoon
      KezzaNoon gen07717

      Posted

      That's brilliant.... Sounds like progress! I'm sure that might be why you are not feeling too good , you probably used up a lot of mental energy by going to dinner but it's amazing that you went and had a great time.

      I'm just taking one day at a time as I'm so up and down at the moment. Feel a bit anxious today but perhaps it's because it's Monday and a busy week ahead at work!!! But all in all I'm so much better. I definitely think I need to avoid alcohol , one or two is probably ok but anymore than that is out of the question!!!!!

      I hope you have a good day today.

      Did you say u r having CBt? How are you getting on with that?

      I've been told from my physciatrist that I need some . I've started to read a book on it which has exercises etc... I'll see how I get on with it!

    • gen07717
      gen07717 KezzaNoon

      Posted

      I tried CBT a while ago but wasn't for me.

      It does help a lot of people, particularly from the anxiety element, really challenges your thinking patterns, I'm not so sure about the depression though.

      Have a good week, ride those ups and downs.  Everything that you read says that they are part of the recovery process.  If that's the case, then we're hopefully on our way to getting better.

      Lots of love xxx

    • anne240
      anne240 KezzaNoon

      Posted

      Oh Kerrie I am  very pleased that you are feelng better. Wonderful news
    • gen07717
      gen07717 KezzaNoon

      Posted

      Hi Kerrie, just wondered how your week has gone?

      I've felt the depression start to lift only to be replaced by really terrible anxiety and sleep isn't so good either.

      Hope you're doing ok.  Love Gen xx

    • Desperate_now
      Desperate_now KezzaNoon

      Posted

      Glad to here you are feeling better. Drugs must be beginning to kick in for you. I have been told it can sometimes take upto 8 weeks to get full benefit, how true I don't know as I said I had been on it for 7 weeks and was still having black thoughts. Good luck for future.
    • KezzaNoon
      KezzaNoon gen07717

      Posted

      Hi gen,

      That s exactly what's happened to me.

      The depressions lifted a bit and the anxiety is still hanging around. Some days it's really bad others it's not so.

      I'm still on the 150mg but thinking of increasing slightly.

      How have you been this weekend?

      Xxxx

    • gen07717
      gen07717 KezzaNoon

      Posted

      Hi Kerrie, anxiety better but depression worse again.  

      xxx

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